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Complete guide · 2026
Padel in South Africa: the complete guide
Everything you need to know about playing padel in South Africa — where to play, what it costs, what gear to buy, and how the sport is growing across the country.
Last updated
New to padel?
Padel is a racket sport played on a small enclosed court with walls (like squash) and a low net (like tennis). It's social, easier to learn than tennis, and the fastest-growing sport in South Africa. You play in pairs, the ball can bounce off the walls, and most rallies last 4–8 hits.
Snapshot
Padel by the numbers
Total venues
201
Courts nationally
553+
Provinces covered
all 8
Sport launched
2019
South Africa's padel scene barely existed before 2019. The first South African padel court opened at Val de Vie Estate in Paarl in late 2019. Five years later, 201 venues have followed — and the number is still climbing every month.
Geography
Where padel is biggest
Gauteng and the Western Cape lead the country. KZN is the fast-growing third. Garden Route towns punch above their weight per capita.
The largest concentrations are in Gauteng (Johannesburg and Pretoria) and the Western Cape (Cape Town and Stellenbosch), with KwaZulu-Natal a strong third. Coastal hotspots in the Garden Route — Plettenberg Bay, Knysna, George — punch above their weight per capita.
Costs
How much does padel cost?
Court hire varies by venue, time of day, and indoor vs. outdoor. Split four ways, the per-person cost is low.
Per-hour court hire
R200–R600 for the court. Top end is peak-time indoor in Cape Town or Sandton.
Per person
R50–R150 per player per hour, split four ways across a doubles match.
Equipment hire
R30–R80 per session at most clubs — racket and balls included.
Gear
What equipment do you need?
Hire your first three months — then upgrade. Total starter kit is R1,500–R3,000.
Racket
R500–R3,000 for a beginner-to-intermediate model. Round shape is the safe starter pick.
Balls
Padel-specific (lower pressure than tennis). R150 per tube of three.
Court shoes
Herringbone tread for grip on artificial turf. R600–R1,200 from a padel-specific brand.
Or hire it all
Most clubs lend rackets and balls for R30–R80 per session. Perfect for first-timers.
See the full padel equipment guide for what to buy when you're ready to upgrade — including reader discounts at Nossa Padel.
Booking
How do you book a court?
Three steps. Most courts use the Playtomic app; some clubs take direct bookings.
1
Pick your venue
Browse this directory by city or province. Check court counts and indoor/outdoor mix.
2
Open the booking link
Most clubs use Playtomic. A handful take direct bookings via the club website or phone.
3
Book a few days ahead
Peak slots (evenings, weekends) fill up fast in major metros — book early, especially in winter.
Cities
Browse padel courts by city
Johannesburg
Gauteng · 197+ courts
56venues
Cape Town
Western Cape · 101+ courts
37venues
Pretoria
Gauteng · 61+ courts
21venues
Durban
KwaZulu-Natal · 51+ courts
18venues
Centurion
Gauteng · 25+ courts
8venues
Gqeberha
Eastern Cape · 16+ courts
8venues
Stellenbosch
Western Cape · 14+ courts
5venues
Vereeniging
Gauteng · 8+ courts
5venues
Plettenberg Bay
Western Cape · 5+ courts
4venues
Provinces
Browse all provinces
Common questions
Padel in South Africa — FAQ
Quick answers for first-time players, regulars, and visitors.
How many padel courts are there in South Africa?
There are around 553 padel courts at 201 venues across all 8 provinces of South Africa. New courts open regularly.
Where is the biggest padel venue in South Africa?
Africa Padel Sandton is the largest padel venue on the continent, covering roughly 4,200 square metres with multiple courts. Africa Padel Claremont in Cape Town is a close second.
Where can I find a padel court near me?
Use the search bar at the top of any page on findapadelcourt.co.za to find venues by city, suburb, or club name. Every venue page lists court counts, indoor or outdoor, address, and a direct booking link.
How much does padel cost in South Africa?
Court hire typically costs R200–R600 per hour depending on the venue, time of day, and indoor versus outdoor. Players usually share the cost four ways. Equipment hire is around R30–R80 per session.
What equipment do I need to start playing padel?
A padel racket (R500–R3,000 for a beginner-to-intermediate model), padel balls (similar to tennis balls but with slightly less pressure), court shoes with a herringbone tread, and weather-appropriate clothing. Most venues hire out rackets and balls for first-timers.
Do I need to book in advance?
Yes. Padel courts in South Africa book up quickly, especially evenings and weekends. Most venues use the Playtomic app; some clubs accept direct bookings via website or phone.
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